A new exhibit at The Mariners' Museum uses photographs, posters, letters, postcards and artifacts to explore the impact of the landmark conflict that defined Newport News and its critical role in the nation's defenses during World War I.

Nick Burney, an E-8 stationed at Fort Eustis, knows what it’s like to be deployed overseas. He also knows the emotional lift the men and women of the U.S. military feel when they receive a care package of donated items.

So when he heard that The Mariners’ Museum was planning to collect items and send them to deployed troops, he did not hesitate. The museum wanted to partner with a local Boy Scout troop, and Burney — a scoutmaster — immediately volunteered the services of Troop 45, which consists of kids with parents stationed at Eustis.

“It was a way to feel like we’re giving back to a bigger cause than just picking up trash around the installation,” Burney said. “I’ve been deployed multiple times, and all my Scouts’ parents are also soldiers who have been deployed. We’ve received those care packages, and I wanted to be sure that our guys got involved with this project.”

The project began this spring, inspired by a museum exhibit about Newport News’ role in World War I.

The troop, working with museum public programs manager Mark Arduini, set up a collection at the opening of the exhibit. Membership manager Sara Weatherill got the word out to museum members about the drive, which was maintained for a couple of weeks.

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The second round of the Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill. On hole nine, Nasa Hataoka, Carlota Ciganda and Lexi Thompson.

The second round of the Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill. On hole nine, Nasa Hataoka, Carlota Ciganda and Lexi Thompson.

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The second round of the Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill. On hole nine, Nasa Hataoka, Carlota Ciganda and Lexi Thompson.

The second round of the Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill. On hole nine, Nasa Hataoka, Carlota Ciganda and Lexi Thompson.

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Residents of Emporia, Va say the city has a wealth of options for passing travelers.

Residents of Emporia, Va say the city has a wealth of options for passing travelers.

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Dan Zarpentine from New York made a family trip to share in the experience of the LPGA Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill Williamsburg.

Dan Zarpentine from New York made a family trip to share in the experience of the LPGA Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill Williamsburg.

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The first round of the LPGA Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill in Williamsburg.

The first round of the LPGA Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill in Williamsburg.

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Hurricane season for 2019 in the Atlantic is starting early. A storm in the area has already been given a name. But forecasters say 'Subtropical Storm Andrea' will not be a threat for the eastern part of the U.S. They add that Andrea won't be very strong either. Still, the storm has appeared nearly two weeks before hurricane season in the Atlantic begins.

Hurricane season for 2019 in the Atlantic is starting early. A storm in the area has already been given a name. But forecasters say 'Subtropical Storm Andrea' will not be a threat for the eastern part of the U.S. They add that Andrea won't be very strong either. Still, the storm has appeared nearly two weeks before hurricane season in the Atlantic begins.

In all, almost 900 items were collected — ranging from toiletries and nonperishable food, to letters and handmade drawings. The items were packaged and sent to deployed men and women in all branches of the U.S. military, with assistance from the non-profit Operation Gratitude.

In a response sent to Operation Gratitude on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps, a staff sergeant wrote: “It is difficult to put my feelings of extreme gratitude into words. Deployments are physically and mentally demanding. The care packages we received made the trying times more bearable. These items allow us to feel a little bit closer to home, even though we are far away.”

Weatherill said the collection drive was part of the museum’s new Members Make a Difference initiative. In looking at the World War I-themed exhibit, she noted in particular the contributions made by local chapters of the American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts. The first outreach, then, was a blood drive, followed by a partnership with a local Boy Scout troop to collect items for deployed troops.

“We were so excited by the response,” she said. “The boxes were in my office, at eye level with me. To be able to see all that, to personally put my hands on each piece of inventory going to a deployed serviceman or woman, meant so much.

“I have a brother in the Navy, so I think of it personally as well — I can think of him on one of his deployments, receiving something like this. It really brings it all home.”

Holtzclaw can be reached by phone at 757-928-6479 or on Twitter @mikeholtzclaw.